Danish prime minister offers condolences after death of Queen Mary’s father

The Danish flag flies at half-mast at Amalienborg Palace following the death of John Donaldson, father of Queen Mary, with Acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressing her condolences to the royal family.

Acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Social Democrats) issued a statement on X, offering her “deepest condolences” to King Frederik, Queen Mary, their children, and the wider family. “The Danish people came to know John Donaldson with pride and warmth as he walked his daughter down the aisle, giving Denmark its crown princess. That is something we will never forget,” Frederiksen wrote. She concluded: “The bereaved are in my thoughts. May John Donaldson’s memory be honoured.”

All four palaces at Amalienborg have lowered their flags to half-mast in response to the death. According to the royal household, a private memorial will be held at a later date, though no public ceremony has been announced.

Donaldson, who was 84, died in his daughter’s hometown of Hobart, Tasmania. The royal couple’s youngest children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, will proceed with their confirmation at Fredensborg Palace Church next week as planned, despite the family’s loss.

Queen Mary and King Frederik last saw Donaldson in late March during an official visit to Australia and Tasmania, followed by private time with him and the rest of the family. The royal household’s statement noted that the queen had “recently visited her father in March, where they shared many good and meaningful moments together.”